Drivers have been warned to avoid websites charging up to £100 for a new licence when the service are normally cheaper of free.
DVLA is urging motorists to always use the government website to replace or renew a drivers licence to avoid paying extortionate prices.
It comes as new figures today show that the DVLA has been contacted by customers more than 1,200 times since January 2020 about these websites.
Using any website other than GOV.UK can mean motorists are charged more for services that are either cheaper or completely free.
The DVLA services and prices include:
- Changing the address on your drivers licence - free
- Provisional licence - £34
- Renewing licence - £14
- Renewing driver licence from age 70 - free
- Replacement licence if lost or stolen - £20
- Exchange paper licence for photo card
Applying online will always be the quickest, easiest and often cheapest way to transact with DVLA and ensures motorists applications are safe and secure.
Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive, said: "GOV.UK is the only site where customers will find our official services, many of which are free.
"You may be charged a premium when using other websites offering services that are not connected to DVLA.
"We recommend you always double check you’re using GOV.UK when accessing our online services or looking for information.
"This means you won’t be paying more than you need to for services that are cheaper or free of charge on GOV.UK and can be sure that you’re dealing with us directly.
Guy Anker, deputy editor at MoneySavingExpert.com, added: "These copycat sites aren’t illegal, but they dress up like legitimate webpages, and use clever tricks to appear higher on search engines.
"They get you to fill in forms, which requires no more work on your part than if you’d done it yourself via the official sites, and then they overcharge you for ‘administration’ or ‘services’ – which is really just passing it to the relevant body, with no extra work involved.
"These services are usually free or much cheaper if you do it yourself, which can leave a very sour taste.
"The obvious red flag that you’re on a copycat site is if you’re being charged for something that’s usually free – such as updating your vehicle log book (V5C) when you’ve changed your address.
"Another tell-tale sign is the web address, so if you should be on a government website, carefully inspect it to make sure it says GOV.UK.
"It’s also worth knowing the true price of a paid-for service – in the past we’ve spotted firms offering ‘checking services’ for driving licence renewals at a cost of £60, more than four times the £14 it costs to do it through GOV.UK."
Information about the range of DVLA services available online is on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/browse/driving.
